Tippett: Piano Concerto; Symphony No 2 album review – the energy of the music is irrepressible
Edward Gardner conducts first-rate performances of two rarely recorded works, bringing Tippett’s musical language into sharp focus
‘He jolted us out of our comfort zone’: Antonio Pappano, Martyn Brabbins and more on Pierre Boulez
Ahead of his centenary celebrations, composers, conductors and performers explain why the French iconoclast’s music is simply spellbinding
National Youth Orchestra Illuminate review – Jaime Martín coaxes characterful performances
The young players delivered atmospheric Ravel, edge-of-seat Nielsen and powerful Thorvaldsdottir with full force
Modern classical music can be a big ‘turn-off’, admits composer Mark-Anthony Turnage
Celebrated British musician reveals close encounters with unhappy concert-goers on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs
From Edvard Munch to Central Cee: Observer critics choose their cultural highlights for 2025
From Thom Yorke’s Shakespearean score to 25 years of Tate Modern, Bridget Jones to Leigh Bowery, our writers anticipate the most exciting shows, releases and events of the year
Ruth Gipps: Orchestral Works vol 3 album review – an ambitious symphony and a bittersweet miniature
The BBC Philharmonic do full justice to the mid-century composer’s first symphony, a blend of fluent lyricism and rhythmic drive
Hansel and Gretel review – manic energy and festive roars of fury keep kids enrapt
Conductor Giedrė Šlekytė makes a promising UK debut with Humperdinck’s luxuriant score but there isn’t much space for adult enchantment
Classical music: Fiona Maddocks’s 10 best concerts and operas of 2024
A last-minute stand-in saves the day; an unusual artistic double act dazzles; plus, electrifying Strauss, Finnish firepower and high-flying Britten…
Stephen Lawrence obituary
Other lives: Cello teacher who was important in the musical life of Cumbria
The week in classical: La bohème; London Contemporary Music festival – review
Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchynska is an unforgettable Mimì in Richard Jones’s ever sumptuous Puccini production. And mischief rules at this year’s LCMF
Sarah Leonard obituary
Soprano with a remarkable high register who made her debut at La Scala, Milan, and sang with the Michael Nyman Band
Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists/Rousset review – joyous and immaculate festive programme
Under the baton of Christophe Rousset, the Monteverdis sounded exquisite in a celebration of Advent that balanced reflection with exultation
The 10 best contemporary albums of 2024
Astrid Sonne’s sonic odyssey led her to Auto-Tune experiments, Caroline Shaw took Emily Dickinson into junkyard hip-hop and Nala Sinephro went space-age
Zakir Hussain obituary
Virtuoso tabla player whose work with a variety of musicians included composing for films
New heights, fond farewells and daring acrobatics – the year in classical music
It was a thrilling year with glittering new works, an electrifying Proms season, Puccini in a laundry and Britten on a trapeze